HDFC ERGO announces the launch of 'Cyber Security Awareness Week'

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India's third largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector launched the 'Cyber Security Awareness Week' starting from October 21, 2018 to October 27, 2018. During the week, HDFC ERGO aims to create awareness about the facets of cybercrime and promote the need of cyber security among individuals under its theme '#HackSeLado'.

In order to commence the launch of Cyber Security Week, HDFC ERGO invited esteemed speakers to shed light on the increasing number of cybercrimes in India and discuss the on-going challenges faced by individuals. The panellists for the discussion were as follows:

Balsingh Rajput, DCP Cyber Crime Maharashtra

Saket Modi, Ethical Hacker Lucideus Tech

SuhasTuljapurkar, Managing Partner, Legasis Partners and Founder Director Legasis Services

Varkha Chulani, Clinical Psychologist & Mental Health Expert

Anurag Rastogi, Member of Executive Management, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company

"Maharashtra Cyber is implementing cyber security and cyber lab project to enable law enforcement to tackle these crimes," said Dr. Balsingh Rajput, DCP Cyber Crime Maharashtra.

"In this digital age most of us haven't been trained to handle a smartphone and hence easily fall prey to basic hacks. Individuals need to realise that anything uploaded on the internet is prone to be hacked and therefore they need to be careful while being online," said Saket Modi, CEO and co-founder, Lucideus.

Adding to this, Suhas Tuljapurkar, Managing Partner Legasis Partners and Founder Director Legasis Services said, "Definitely there is a deficiency in current laws relating to Cyber Crime. While there are jurisdictional challenges especially when the Cyber Crime crosses the boundaries, there is legislative requirement to bring out robust laws to outpace the advancements made by the organized Cyber Crime industry."

Talking about the emotional aspect of a cyber-hack, Varkha Chulani, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Expert said, "Individuals today suffer from a new condition called 'Selfitis'. Relationships at home nowadays have become more insecure because of extensive use of gadgets. More than financial loses there are emotional losses seen amongst couples and families. Parents should use discipline and keep time limits for their children to avoid the misuse of the Internet."

"Today, individuals suffer from huge financial loss as well as emotional loss post a cyber-crime which includes the legal fees or the cost of consulting a psychologist. With the launch of HDFC ERGO E@Secure, individual cyber insurance policy, we aim to help individuals overcome any financial loss as a result of any cyber-attack or cyber bulling," said Anurag Rastogi, Member of Executive Management, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company.

HDFC ERGO recently launched E@Secure Cyber Insurance Policy. The policy aims at providing comprehensive protection to individuals and their families against any cyber- attacks, cyber frauds or digital threats that could lead to a financial loss and or reputational loss.